Gillard, 46, assumed her role as head of government after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd left for Bali to attend the U.N. conference on climate change.

Gillard, who as deputy prime minister also holds the portfolio of education, employment and workplace relations, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. she hoped her position would inspire young women across the country to enter the male-dominated world of politics.

The ABC reported from Bali that Rudd was under increasing pressure from environmental groups to back an interim greenhouse gas reduction target of up to 40 percent for developed countries.